Work on Jeddah Raceway (JRW), Saudi Arabia’s first FIA motor sports venue, is in full swing and expected to become operational early in 2006. The 250,000 sq m racetrack is located on north Madinah Road, 27 km from the City Center, after the Obhur exit.The construction of the SR60 million project commenced on June 15. “The grand opening of JRW will be held around April,” URC’s Vice Chairman and Executive Director Mishael Al-Sulaiman told Arab News.“This will be the first FIA standard motor sport venue in the Kingdom,” he said. “The support of Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed and Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal ibn Majed to the plan has motivated us to make this mega project a reality,” he added.
The mission of URC, established as a limited liability company in December 2004, is to offer safe and enjoyable international motor sport racing facilities and host local and international events through the management and operation of different types of high international standard motor sport venues across the Kingdom, establish an international motor sport racing school, and sponsor talented Saudi motor sport racers at events worldwide.
The project includes the first stand-alone FIA standard quarter mile drag strip. It will be equipped with the highest standards in safety, racing equipment, and complementary services available internationally,” JRW’s Marketing Manager Bassam Qahtani said.
The project will have the first FIA licensed circuit for autocross, karting, and drag racing events, and a skid pad.
“With this project, which is taking shape with the collaboration of Saudi Automoible &Touring Association, the FIA’s official local representative, the Kingdom will inscribe its name on the global map of motor sports with a mega racing complex,” he added.
The project aims to assist Saudi motor sport champions who have excelled in regional and international levels some of whom include Prince Khalid ibn Sultan ibn Abdullah Al-Faisal, Abdullah Bakhashab, and Mamdouh Khayyat.
It hopes to reduce the number of fatal accidents and unnecessary traffic resulting from illegal street racing by providing young drivers with a safe and enjoyable location to transform their racing hobby into a profession.
Car shows are expected to be a regular feature at the complex, which will provide separate family sections, aside from amenities such as restaurants, car accessories shops, workshops, car inspection facilities, and separate sections for contestants, management, sponsors, and media.
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